Huge waves hit Icacos

WATER as high as houses caused flooding in Icacos Cedros on Sunday afternoon and up to Tuesday, many residents expressed concerns about their safety.

A resident of Lalla Road said, “The water surrounded the house. We put sandbags at the front door to prevent the water from coming in. The water receded this morning and luckily it did go inside. The waves were as high as a house.”

The man, who did not want to give his name, said the sea began raging at about 4.30 pm on Sunday. Salt water reached about 800 feet further than where it normally reaches on the coastlines.

“Water was everywhere, it covered the road. Boats were floating away. People had to move their boats and vehicles because the water was going with it. We killed a sea snake in the water.”

At Constance Beach, Usha Ackool told Newsday fishermen have been suffering because of the bad weather and called on the authorities to help them.

Ackool said Constance Estate Road “used to go miles out. The sea claimed it over the years.

“The authorities need to do something for fishermen. My husband was laid off nine months ago and cannot go out and fish, because it is dangerous with these waves. The boat could easily capsize.”

There were no reports of injuries and the water had subsided when Newsday visited.

TT Weather Centre, on its Facebook page, said as Tropical Wave 58 moves out of this region, it is keeping its eyes on Tropical Waves 59 and 60.

The post said, “We’re also monitoring longer-range models, which continue to trend towards the ITCZ lingering across T&T next week, bringing a wet start to November, in addition to a surge of trade winds, bringing breezy to gusty winds next week.”

The hazardous seas alert continues through 2 pm on Saturday, though long period swells are forecast to persist into Sunday.

The National Security Ministry issued a public advisory and called for beachgoers to be extremely cautious owing to the unusually large waves and strong rip currents currently affecting beaches.

An advisory from the ministry’s corporate communications unit said the lifeguard service division said these conditions are known to cause serious injuries and in the worst-case scenario, may even lead to loss of life. This warning comes after the hazardous seas alert sent out by the Met Office which said rough sea conditions have started to severely affect coastlines.

The ministry gave a list of cautionary measuresand urged people to avoid ging into the water if sea conditions appear dangerous. It said large waves may also bring logs or other objects in the surf that could strike unsuspecting bathers, endangering their lives.

People should avoid drinking alcohol while at the beach and while swimming.

It said, “Parents should be within arm’s reach of children at all times. When powerful waves wash to the shore children are pushed into rocks, logs or other objects on the beach and the backwash from the receding waves can sweep them out into deeper waters.”